Benalmádena is one of the most popular resort towns on the Costa del Sol, located near Málaga. The town is known for its beautiful beaches, modern entertainment, and picturesque areas that combine the atmosphere of a traditional Andalusian village with a dynamic resort lifestyle.
Benalmádena consists of three main parts — the historic Benalmádena Pueblo with white houses and viewpoints, the lively Arroyo de la Miel district, and the coastal area of Benalmádena Costa, where the beaches, Puerto Marina harbor, and popular entertainment complexes are located.
In this article, you will learn what to see in Benalmádena: the main attractions of the town, parks, the cable car, unique architectural complexes, and the best places for walking and relaxing along the coast.
To make it easier to navigate during your trip, below you will find the main attractions of Benalmádena grouped by districts — from the historic center to the coastal area.
Main districts of Benalmádena
Benalmádena Pueblo
Benalmádena Pueblo is the historic part of the town, located on the hills and considered its historical center. It was from here that the development of the settlement began, which over time turned into a popular resort town on the Costa del Sol.
This district is known for its typical Andalusian atmosphere: white houses, narrow streets decorated with flowers, cozy squares, and viewpoints create the feeling of a traditional Spanish village. A walk through Benalmádena Pueblo is a great way to get acquainted with the town’s history and see its calmer and more authentic side.
Plaza de España and La Niña Statue
One of the central places in Benalmádena Pueblo is Plaza de España — a cozy square around which the life of the historic district is concentrated. Here you will find cafés, small shops, and buildings in traditional Andalusian architecture.
In the center of the square there is a fountain with the “La Niña” statue — one of the symbols of the town. The sculpture depicts a girl offering water in a shell, symbolizing the hospitality and friendliness of the local residents.
Plaza de España is considered a convenient starting point for walks through the historic part of the town. It is a pleasant place to make a short stop, admire the architecture, and feel the atmosphere of traditional Andalusia.
Colomares Castle (El Castillo Monumento de Colomares)
Not far from Plaza de España there is an unusual architectural structure — the Colomares Castle, which is hard to miss during a walk around the Benalmádena Pueblo district. From the central square, the complex can be reached on foot in just a few minutes.
Built at the end of the 20th century, this monument is rightly considered one of the most interesting attractions in the town. The architectural complex, covering an area of about 1,500 m², is dedicated to the voyage of Christopher Columbus and the discovery of the New World.
Its history is literally carved from stone, concrete, and brick with elements of glass and wood. In its design, you can easily recognize the main symbols of Columbus’s expedition — the ships “Santa María,” “Niña,” and “Pinta,” as well as architectural elements reflecting different styles — Gothic, Romanesque, and Mudéjar.
Within the complex, you can see a palace, fountains, towers, and decorative elements, each of which has its own symbolic meaning. It is also home to the smallest chapel in the world — its area is only 1.96 m², which earned it a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
Colomares Castle is considered one of the most photogenic places in Benalmádena. From the viewpoints near the complex, beautiful views open over the Costa del Sol coastline and the surrounding areas of the town.
💡 Good to know: entrance to the castle is paid, costing approximately from 3 to 4 € for adults and about 2–3 € for children. A visit usually takes around 20–30 minutes and easily fits into a walk around the Benalmádena Pueblo district.
After visiting the castle, it is convenient to continue your walk to the Stupa of Enlightenment and the Butterfly Park located nearby.
Stupa of Enlightenment (Estupa de la Iluminación)
The Stupa of Enlightenment is one of the most unusual structures in Benalmádena and an important cultural attraction of the region. This impressive Buddhist temple is located on an elevated area near the Benalmádena Pueblo district and is clearly visible from afar thanks to its snow-white appearance.
The height of the stupa is about 33 meters, making it considered one of the largest Buddhist stupas in Europe. From the nearby viewpoints, picturesque views open over the Costa del Sol coastline and the surrounding areas of the town.
The stupa is built according to traditional Tibetan design and symbolizes harmony, peace, and prosperity. Inside the complex there is a space for meditation and exhibitions, while the surrounding area creates an atmosphere of calmness and solitude.
Daily classes, exhibitions, and Buddhist events take place here, making this site unique for southern Spain. Inside the complex, visitors can experience a special atmosphere of tranquility, while the open terraces allow you to enjoy panoramic views of the coastline.
💡 Good to know: the Butterfly Park (Mariposario Benalmadena) is located next to the Stupa, so both attractions are convenient to visit during one walk around the Benalmádena Pueblo district.
Butterfly Park (Mariposario Benalmadena)
The Mariposario Butterfly Park is one of the most unusual places in Benalmádena and a popular attraction for family visits. This indoor tropical park is designed in Thai style and is located next to the Stupa of Enlightenment, making it convenient to visit both attractions during one walk around the Benalmádena Pueblo district.
The Mariposario is considered one of the largest butterfly parks in Europe. It is a tropical garden covering more than 900 m², filled with flowers, greenery, and a waterfall about 8 meters high. Inside, around 1,500 butterflies of more than 150 species, brought from different parts of the world, fly freely.
Visitors can observe the life cycle of butterflies — from the chrysalis stage to the emergence of an adult butterfly. This makes the park especially interesting for children and adults interested in nature and wildlife.
In addition to butterflies, the park is home to turtles, iguanas, birds, and fish, making the visit even more engaging and varied. On average, a visit takes about 1–1.5 hours and easily fits into an itinerary around the Benalmádena Pueblo district.
After visiting the Butterfly Park, it is convenient to continue your walk towards the Arroyo de la Miel district, where the Teleférico cable car and the Parque de la Paloma city park are located.
Arroyo de la Miel
Arroyo de la Miel is one of the liveliest districts of Benalmádena and its modern center. The name of the district translates as “Stream of Honey” — in the past, many nectar-producing plants grew here, which gave the area its name.
Today, Arroyo de la Miel is considered the main transport and commercial district of the town. Here you will find shops, cafés, restaurants, a railway station, and numerous entertainment options. On Fridays, a large street market takes place in this area, attracting both tourists and local residents.
This is also where the Teleférico cable car begins, as well as the popular Parque de la Paloma and the Selwo Marina entertainment complex. Thanks to this, the district is considered an excellent starting point for walks and exploring the modern part of Benalmádena.
Cable Car (Teleférico)
The Teleférico cable car is one of the most popular attractions in Benalmádena and the entire Málaga province. The route starts from a station in the Arroyo de la Miel district and takes visitors to the summit of Mount Calamorro (Monte Calvario), offering impressive views of the Costa del Sol coastline.
The length of the cable car route is about 3 kilometers, and the ascent takes approximately 15 minutes. The small cabins are designed for several passengers and allow you to enjoy panoramic views of the town, mountains, and the Mediterranean Sea during the ride.
The summit is located at an altitude of about 770 meters above sea level. Several walking paths lead to viewpoints that offer some of the most beautiful views of the coastline and the mountainous regions of Andalusia.
At the top, there are also enclosures with birds of prey, where demonstration shows take place. The shows are usually held several times a day, although the exact schedule is recommended to be checked at the departure station.
💡 Good to know: the cost of the ride is approximately from 15 to 18 € for adults and about 11–13 € for children. Prices may vary depending on the season. It is usually recommended to allocate about 1.5–2 hours to visit the cable car and explore the summit, especially if you plan to stop at viewpoints and watch the bird show.
Parque de la Paloma
Parque de la Paloma is one of the most famous and beautiful city parks in Benalmádena. This large green area is located next to the Selwo Marina complex and is considered one of the most popular places for relaxation among both locals and tourists.
The park covers an area of about 200,000 m², providing plenty of space for walking, relaxation, and entertainment. In the park, you can see freely roaming animals and birds — peacocks, rabbits, ducks, and other inhabitants, which is especially enjoyable for children.
The territory includes walking paths, artificial lakes, sports areas, and children's playgrounds with slides and swings. Benches are placed in the shade of trees, making it pleasant to rest on hot days, while local cafés offer refreshing drinks and snacks.
💡 Good to know: entrance to the park is free, making it easy to include in a walk around the Arroyo de la Miel district. Exploring the park usually takes about 1 hour, especially if you plan to walk along the lakes or relax with children.
After a walk through the park, it is convenient to visit the nearby Selwo Marina entertainment complex, where you can see marine animals and themed shows.
Selwo Marina
Selwo Marina is one of the most popular entertainment complexes in Benalmádena, located next to Parque de la Paloma. It is an aquarium and themed park covering more than 1.5 hectares, dedicated to wildlife from different continents.
During a walk around the complex, visitors can see animals and plants typical of South and Central America, as well as the regions of the Arctic and Antarctica. A special highlight is the penguinarium — one of the few in the region where real Antarctic penguins are kept.
One of the main features of Selwo Marina is its shows with marine animals, including dolphins and sea lions. A large pool allows visitors to watch the performances and learn more about the behavior of these animals.
A visit to the complex usually takes about 2–3 hours, making it convenient to include in your itinerary after a walk through Parque de la Paloma or before relaxing in the coastal area of Benalmádena Costa.
💡 Good to know: Selwo Marina is especially popular among families with children, so during the high season it is recommended to arrive in the morning to avoid queues and comfortably explore all areas of the complex.
Benalmádena Costa
Benalmádena Costa is the modern coastal district of the town, where the main resort infrastructure is concentrated. There are numerous hotels, apartments, and walking areas here, making the district one of the most popular among holidaymakers on the Costa del Sol.
This part of the town is home to the main seaside leisure spots that attract tourists at any time of the year.
In addition, the district features one of the most famous attractions of Benalmádena — the Puerto Marina, as well as several popular waterfront promenades.
Below we will look at the main places in Benalmádena Costa in more detail — from the picturesque marina to the best stretches of coastline.
Puerto Marina
Puerto Marina is one of the most famous and picturesque places in Benalmádena. This modern marina is considered one of the main attractions of the town and regularly appears in lists of the most beautiful marinas in Europe thanks to its unusual architecture with white buildings and yacht moorings.
Here you will find promenades, restaurants, cafés, shops, and entertainment areas. During the day, it is pleasant to walk along the docks, admire the yachts, take beautiful photos, visit the shopping galleries, or explore the Sea Life Benalmadena aquarium located near the marina.
Boat trips depart from the marina along the coastline, including popular dolphin-watching excursions. Thanks to this, Puerto Marina often becomes one of the most interesting leisure spots on the coast.
In the evening, the marina becomes especially lively: building lights turn on, restaurants open, and the atmosphere of a true resort destination is created. It is one of the best places in Benalmádena for evening walks by the water.
Beaches and Promenade of Benalmádena
The beaches of Benalmádena stretch along the entire coastline and are considered among the most convenient for holidays on the Costa del Sol. Among the popular beaches are Playa de Santa Ana, Playa de Malapesquera, and Playa Arroyo de la Miel.
The promenade runs along the beaches and connects different parts of the resort. It is pleasant to walk here both during the day and in the evening, watching the sea and enjoying the relaxing atmosphere. Along the way, you will find cafés, rest areas, and playgrounds for children.
For active leisure lovers, water activities are available, including pedal boat rentals, water skiing, and boat rides. Thanks to the convenient beach locations and well-developed infrastructure, this area is ideal for seaside relaxation.
What to see near Benalmádena
Benalmádena is conveniently located on the Costa del Sol coastline, making it easy to travel to other interesting towns in the region. Thanks to short distances, many destinations can be visited even during a short trip or a one-day excursion.
💡 For convenient travel between towns, many travelers choose car rental — this allows you to see more attractions and plan your route independently.
- Mijas — a picturesque white town in the mountains, located approximately 20–25 minutes by car. Known for its narrow streets, panoramic views, and traditional Andalusian atmosphere.
- Málaga — the largest city in the region, located approximately 20 minutes by car. Here you can find the Alcazaba, the Cathedral, Picasso museums, and the Gibralfaro fortress.
- Parks and family entertainment in Málaga — an excellent selection of places for family visits: zoos, aquariums, parks, and themed attractions.
- Torremolinos — a popular resort just 10–15 minutes from Benalmádena. Known for its long beaches and lively promenade.
- Fuengirola — another resort town about 15–20 minutes away. Suitable for walks and visiting the Bioparc zoo.
- Ronda — one of the most picturesque towns in Andalusia, located approximately 1.5 hours by car. Famous for its Puente Nuevo bridge.
- Marbella — a prestigious resort about 40–50 minutes away, known for its old town and Puerto Banús marina.
💡 Thanks to the convenient location of Benalmádena, many travelers combine seaside holidays with trips to neighboring towns and natural areas of Andalusia.
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